December 12, 2018
Australia

Crudine Ridge Wind Farm: Equipment removed from wind farm site following stop-work order

Nadine Morton | Mudgee Guardian | December 12 2018 | www.mudgeeguardian.com.au

All plant and equipment at the Crudine Ridge Wind Farm has been removed following a stop work order on the project.

Construction was halted at the farm on Friday after the NSW Department of Planning and Environment threatened to take legal action.

The Department found that the wind farm’s operator, CWP Renewables, had breached its conditions of consent by commencing construction of the wind farm without first upgrading the nearby Aarons Pass Road.

A $15,000 penalty notice was issued to CWP Renewables.

Wind farm project director Brendan McAvoy said all plant and equipment at the site had been removed in accordance with the Department’s request.

“The department has made their decision we’re going to abide by that decision and we’re working with the department to ensure that we are compliant,” he said.

While work on the site has paused in the short term, Mr McAvoy said the upgrading of Aarons Pass Road would continue.

“The project will stop work for a short period of time, we’ve still got permission to continue on Aarons Pass Road,” he said.

“We’re hopeful that we can resolve this issue quickly and we will work with the Department to make sure it’s done as quickly as we possibly can.”

Mr McAvoy said CWP Renewables was also seeking approval to reduce the total approved vegetation clearing by 40 per cent, however, he said additional clearing would be needed along Aarons Pass Road.

In the meantime, a community forum will be held on Wednesday, December 12 at the Pyramul Hall in Pyramul from 4pm to 6pm.

The Department’s executive director of resource assessments and compliance, Mike Young, said the Department took its compliance role seriously.

“We are holding a community forum to listen to the concerns of the community and to answer any questions about the assessment of the proposed modification. We encourage anyone with an interest in the project to attend,” he said.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/12/12/crudine-ridge-wind-farm-equipment-removed-from-wind-farm-site-following-stop-work-order/